Rev. Thomas Kelly, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Ballston Spa, celebrated Mass at Doubleday Woods earlier this week and blessed a newly built altar that resident Raymond Murphy created as a tribute to his late wife. (ERICA MILLER/emiller@saratogian.com)

BALLSTON -- When Doubleday Woods resident Richard Funk first arrived at the senior housing community eight months ago, he noticed something was missing -- there was no altar for the priest who came to celebrate Mass.

That changed when Raymond Murphy spent two weeks building an altar as a tribute to his late wife, Linda, and the deceased residents of Doubleday Woods, Funk said.

Teri Harrington, Doubleday Wood's service coordinator, said the altar was unveiled and blessed by the Rev. Thomas Kelly, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Ballston Spa.

Advertisement

"The thing that was so nice about this is it was resident-driven -- it was for the residents, by the residents," Harrington said.

The altar is lightweight and comprised of a cross, altar and two pedestals. It comes apart easily so it can be stored when it's not being used.

Murphy is a retired commercial electrician for Skidmore College. In his free time, he does carpentry in the workshop behind his Ballston Spa home.

When the altar was blessed Monday in the Doubleday Woods library, so many people turned out for the ceremony it was standing room only.

There aren't many options for the residents of Doubleday Woods who no longer drive but want to go to church, Funk said. Funk himself had a steady ride to church every Sunday, but lost it when the woman who drove him injured her shoulder and could no longer drive.

"We need people who want to come here and pick us up," Funk said. He added that transportation to the grocery store and the doctor's office is provided, but he would enjoy a trip to Congress Park to feed the ducks, too.

During Monday's service, Funk said he met some residents for the first time who typically do not leave their rooms.

The residents' association will meet next Monday evening and tenants will discuss how they can work with the Rev. Kelly to set up a regular Mass schedule at Doubleday Woods.

"It was definitely uplifting for our residents to be able to receive the sacrament where they live. It enables people who haven't been able to do that for years," Harrington said.